AP Source: Packers, James Jones agree on 1-year contract

GENARO C. ARMAS

Sep. 07, 2015

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Green Bay Packers and receiver James Jones agreed to terms Sunday on a one-year deal, according to a person familiar with the contract talks.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the deal. NFL.com and ESPN.com first reported that Jones and the Packers agreed to terms. He was cut Saturday by the New York Giants.

The 31-year-old Jones is returning to the team that drafted him in the third round in 2007. He will provide a veteran presence to a receiving corps that lost No. 1 wideout Jordy Nelson to a season-ending right knee injury in the preseason.

Jones played seven years in Green Bay before going to Oakland for the 2014 season.

With the Packers, he turned into a reliable target for MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, including 14 touchdown catches in 2012.

Given his familiarity with the offense, Jones would presumably start as the third or fourth receiver this season behind Randall Cobb and promising second-year player Davante Adams.

Rookie receiver Ty Montgomery, a third-round pick, has had a solid preseason camp. The Packers had settled on second-year players Myles White and Jeff Janis to round out the receiving crops in whittling down the roster to the 53-man limit on Saturday.

One of those players may have to go to make room for Jones.

Janis, a seventh-round pick in 2014, led the Packers this preseason with three touchdown catches.

White had a team-high 157 yards receiving in the preseason. The undrafted free agent played in seven games as a rookie in 2013 and spent last season on the practice squad.